FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Native Plant Center wins AIA 2011 New England Design Award

An award for design excellence

New England Wild Flower Society's Nasami Farm's Native Plant Center won a Design Excellence award in the 2011

Native Plant Center at Nasami Farm

Whately, MA - Nasami Farm Native Plant Center has been selected for an award by the 2011 AIA New England Design Awards Program.

The criterion for this award is solely design excellence, and eligible projects are unusually broad -- any building type built in New England and designed by a firm anywhere in the world, and projects designed by a New England firm and built anywhere in the world. The portfolio was judged by a distinguished jury and not only illustrated design concepts, sustainable features, and detailed craftsmanship, but also conveyed the educational and conservation goals of the New England Wild Flower Society.  

In accepting the award, Architerra, the design team for the Native Plant Center, stated, " We would like to thank New England Wild Flower Society and the entire design and construction team for their contributions to the success of this project!"

Debbi Edelstein, New England Wild Flower Society Executive Director, commented, "The staff and board of trustees are extremely proud of this honor given by AIA New England. It heightens our excitement about the Society's new plans for Nasami Farm and the Native Plant Center."

Even before winning an award, AIA New England asked Architerra to lead a tour of Nasami Farm as part of their annual conference October 14-16, 2011. With New England Wild Flower Society's Executive Director Debbi Edelstein's permission, the tour occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, October 15. The project will also be celebrated as an award winner and as part of the Livable Communities Exhibit.   

The award will be officially presented at the AIA New England awards dinner on Saturday, October 15, at the Smith College Conference Center. The keynote was given by James S. Russell, FIAA, architecture critic for Bloomberg News and former editor at Architectural Record magazine. 

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